Premier League top-four race for Champions League qualification analysed by form and fixtures. Man Utd, Leicester, Chelsea, West Ham, Liverpool, Everton, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Arsenal in race. Olivier Giroud insists Arsenal will not just 'throw in the towel' against Barcelona and is confident of upsetting the odds in their Champions League last-16 tie. Arsenal scraped through the group stages after beating Olympiacos 3-0 in a must-win encounter having lost three of their opening four matches in the competition.

Arsenal will be looking to gain the upper hand in their Europa League last-32 clash against Benfica when the sides meet in Rome for Thursday’s first leg.

The Gunners have been imperious in this competition so far this season, easing through the group stages with six wins from six.

Benfica vs Arsenal Latest Odds

Unbeaten in seven Europa League away games, they are 11/8 (2.38) favourites to put one foot in the next round by coming out on top at the Stadio Olimpico, which is hosting the first leg of this tie due to coronavirus restrictions.

Editors' Picks

Arsenal To Go Through Champions League Odds Against

Jorge Jesus’ men have won just three of their last nine fixtures in all competitions but can be backed at 19/10 (2.90) to give themselves an aggregate lead with a victory here.

Three of the hosts’ last four group stage matches finished in draws, and you can get odds of 5/2 (3.50) on them playing out another stalemate in this one.

Benfica vs Arsenal Team News

Arsenal To Go Through Champions League Odds Wild Card

Luca Waldschmidt is available for Benfica once again after returning for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Moreirense, although Jardel and Andre Almeida remain injured.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be assessed after suffering a slight ankle injury in the 4-2 victory over Leeds at the weekend, while Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey are both doubtful.

Benfica vs Arsenal Preview

After a run of one goal in three matches, Sunday’s 4-2 victory over Leeds will have given Mikel Arteta a welcome boost - particularly the form of hat-trick hero Aubameyang.

He should fancy his side’s chances of maintaining that prolific streak against Benfica, who conceded two goals or more in four of their six group games and have kept just two clean sheets in nine European fixtures.

However, the Portuguese side did find the net 21 times themselves in those six group games, producing plenty of entertainment in a sequence that averaged over five goals per match in total for both teams.

Benfica vs Arsenal Tips and Predictions

Considering Arsenal scored 20 but kept just two clean sheets in their six group games, even money (2.00) seems generous on them and Benfica both getting on target in a match featuring over 2.5 goals - a number exceeded in all of the pair’s Europa League fixtures so far.

Arsenal To Go Through Champions League Odds 2019

All odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.

Both teams to score & Over 2.5 goals at Evens (2.00) for a 1.5pt stake with bet365